Work Zone Training Examples and Resources

Section 630.1008(d) of the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule specifies that agencies require appropriate training and periodic training updates for personnel involved in the development, design, implementation, operation, inspection, and enforcement of work zone related transportation management and traffic control. More information about training can be found in Implementing the Rule on Work Zone Safety and Mobility.

The following examples are meant to assist agencies with developing their own work zone training programs, and are not meant to advocate a "one size fits all" approach.

Webinar on Work Zone Training Programs - held on February 1, 2012

Recording
Transcript (HTML, PDF 135KB)
Introduction Presentation, by Tracy Scriba, FHWA Work Zone Mobility and Safety Team (HTML, PDF 927KB)
New Hampshire Law Enforcement Training, by Marty Calawa, FHWA New Hampshire Division Office (HTML, PDF 1.1MB)
Virginia Work Zone Traffic Control Training, by David Rush, Virginia DOT (HTML, PDF 764KB)
Louisiana Work Zone Training, by Barry Lacy, Louisiana DOTD (HTML, PDF 7.8MB)
Louisiana Law Enforcement Training, by Ron Whittaker, Louisiana DOTD (HTML, PDF 319KB)

Colorado Department of Transportation

The Colorado Department of Transportation includes a section on required training in its Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule Procedures (PDF 281KB) document. Page 37 of the document lists the minimum training required for CDOT personnel, project designers, project builders (general contractors and subcontractors), and law enforcement. These categories are further broken down by job title, with specific courses assigned to each title. CDOT also issued two policy memos regarding training. Policy Memo 28 – Advanced Work Zone Management and Design (PDF 1.6MB), requires all CDOT Designers and Consultant Designers who design traffic control plains for federal-aid projects in Colorado to obtain a certificate of completion for the National Highway Institute Course Advanced Work Zone Management and Design. Policy Memo 29 – Safe and Effective Use of Law Enforcement (PDF 829KB), requires that all Law Enforcement Personnel who provide uniformed traffic control on federal-aid projects in Colorado must have a Certificate of Completion for the Safe and Effective Use of Law Enforcement in Work Zones course, either provided by ATSSA or their local training office. Both Policy Memos state that all project bids will include a Standard Special Provision that require the Consultant Designer or uniformed traffic control officer to have the certificate of completion for the relevant course.

Florida Department of Transportation

The Florida DOT (FDOT) developed a narrated online training session for its employees and partners about the changes FDOT has made to its Plans Preparation Manual, specifically in the area of maintenance of traffic. These changes were made largely as a result of the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule. The presentation provides background on the Rule and discusses the development of a transportation management plan (TMP) and its required components. While most of the presentation is applicable nationwide, there are some elements that are specific to FDOT's business practices and policies.

Georgia Department of Transportation

The Georgia DOT (GDOT) developed two online training presentations related to work zones. "Work Zone Safety and Mobility" explains the updated Work Zone Rule and provides GDOT's response to updates to Subparts J and K. It includes a module with examples of four different types of projects, describes the responsibilities of different offices during the various stages of each project, and identifies potential TMP components and strategies for the project. "Work Zone Safety and Mobility for Law Enforcement Officers" focuses on providing awareness and guidance to law enforcement personnel working in active highway work zones.

Maryland State Highway Administration

The Maryland State Highway Administration developed a web-based, self-study course for law enforcement officers (LEOs) assigned to work zones, entitled Work Zone Law Enforcement Training Course – Safe and Effective Use of Law Enforcement Personnel in Work Zones. This course is designed for LEOs who serve or may serve on work zone details along State-owned, operated, and maintained roadways, but it is also appropriate for other stakeholders who want to become familiar with the practices and expectations of LEOs on work zone details. The course is based on the Work Zone Law Enforcement Training Course developed by the Federal Highway Administration. Material from the FHWA course has been modified to reflect the specific policies, practices, and requirements used in Maryland.

Missouri Department of Transportation

To better educate those responsible for designing and managing work zones, the Missouri DOT (MoDOT) created a course titled "Advanced Work Zone Training" (AWZT) (PDF 1.82MB). The course contains 18 modules, including modules on MoDOT's work zone policy; transportation management plans (TMPs); law enforcement; traffic capacity; travel time information; designing for the driver; pedestrians and bicyclists; nighttime work zones; and several modules on standards and temporary traffic control. Upon completion of the course, participants are certified as a "Work Zone Specialist" (WZS). MoDOT will have a WZS involved in every aspect of the traffic control plan, from preliminary to post-construction work. MoDOT has also developed courses focused on specific roles within work zones, such as flaggers and truck mounted attenuator drivers (PDF 1.07MB).

Montana Department of Transportation

Appendix C of the Montana DOT (MDT) Work Zone Safety and Mobility Policy (PDF 537KB) includes a list of planned goals and milestones for MDT's work zone training program. The policy also includes a list of potential training courses and a calendar showing timeframes for course offerings from 2008 to 2012. For each category of courses, MDT's policy describes the target audience, course objectives, specific current courses available that meet these objectives, the instructor type, and delivery frequency. MDT also includes information on some additional training opportunities and certification programs.

North Carolina Department of Transportation

The North Carolina DOT (NCDOT) has developed a Work Zone Traffic Control (WZTC) Qualification and Training Program. This program was developed through a committee that included people potentially affected by the program and industry members. The WZTC Qualification and Training Web site includes links to committee meeting minutes, approved training resources, reports and presentations related to training, and training links. Included in the list of reports and presentations is a document that specifies work zone training requirements for various positions. These requirements apply to anyone working inside the Right of Way of the NCDOT Highway System, including, but not limited to, NCDOT forces, contractors, and encroachers. While this training program only applies to work zone traffic control qualifications and does not cover all aspects of training required by the Rule, it is an example of how an agency can begin to develop a work zone training program that covers various job positions.

Virginia Department of Transportation

The Virginia DOT (VDOT) formed a Work Zone Safety Training Committee to develop a training program based on work zone responsibilities and job descriptions. The Committee determined that training needs fell into four distinct areas: basic, intermediate, advanced, and law enforcement. The VDOT Work Zone Traffic Control Training Specifications (PDF 164KB) describes the training in each area and the training requirements for various job positions. The basic training lasts one day and focuses on daily work zone setups; intermediate training lasts two days and focuses on long term work zones; the advanced training focuses on work zone design elements; and law enforcement training consists of a 45-minute web-based training initiative on performing duties safely in work zones. For all persons, the applicable training is required every 4 years to continue to be qualified to perform assigned duties. The training courses may be purchased from VDOT, or a self-developed training course that meets VDOT criteria and passes an approval process may be used. VDOT includes in contracts a special provision that requires Work Zone Traffic Control Management by an ATSSA certified Traffic Control Supervisor for major traffic projects.

Work Zone Best Practice Fact Sheet

Work Zone Training: Examples of What Agencies are Doing (HTML, PDF 961KB)

Additional Resources

Work Zone Training Web Page - Provides information about nationally available work zone training programs.

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